JP2005198204A - Information distribution display system and information distribution display method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an information distribution display system in which a plurality of programs can be distributed by one time of operation. <P>SOLUTION: A file creation processing section 75 creates one or more pieces of material data and one or more control information files for displaying these material data in a presentation pack storage folder corresponding to a presentation pack and in response to a distributing instruction, a package creation processing section 742 creates one or more packages satisfying predetermined conditions from all the files in the presentation pack storage folder, and distributes the presentation pack for the unit of a package to an information display device via a data distribution server. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information distribution display system that provides information such as moving images, still images, and character information.

  Conventionally, various technologies for distributing moving image contents (programs) such as movies using network technologies have been considered. For example, in the prior art described in Patent Document 1, in the sale of large-capacity video content, a data transmission apparatus and a reception / playback apparatus are connected by a broadband broadcast line and a security line that is more reliable than the broadcast line. Thus, there has been disclosed a technique for performing ordering and billing processing using a security line, and distributing the ordered program on broadcast data.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-101988

  On the other hand, the information creation device creates information (programs) such as building information in the building, information on each floor of the department store, and introduction of products handled on that floor, and the created programs can be used on the Internet or LAN (Local Area Network). There is an information distribution display system that distributes to an information display device via a network and provides a program to an information viewer. In general, the broadcast time of a program handled by such an information distribution and display system is extremely short compared to a movie or the like. However, one program is not repeatedly displayed. For example, there are programs for each product handled on the floor, and these programs are often sequentially displayed as one set. Therefore, at the time of program distribution, distribution is performed with a set of a plurality of programs.

  When the above-described conventional technology is applied to such an information distribution display system, distribution processing must be performed for each program. Therefore, there is a problem that it takes time and effort when the number of programs increases.

  In order to reduce the number of distributions, it is conceivable to distribute in units of one set. In this case, if a transmission error occurs during distribution, it is difficult to determine which program has the transmission error. Therefore, redistribution must be performed in units of one set, and as a result, a problem that the distribution time becomes long can be cited as an example.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to obtain an information distribution display system and an information display method capable of distributing a plurality of programs by one operation.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a presentation pack including one to a plurality of material data relating to one to a plurality of programs created by the information creation device and one to a plurality of control information files for displaying the material data is stored as data. In an information delivery display system that delivers to an information display device via a delivery server, the information creation device includes a package creation processing unit that creates a plurality of packages from each material data and each control information file in the presentation pack, A package created by the package creation processing unit is transmitted to the data delivery server, and the data delivery server presents a data storage unit for storing the received package and a package stored in the data storage unit. In addition to managing each pack, the pack A presentation pack management processing unit for transmitting a message to the information display device, wherein the information display device decompresses one or more packages received from the data distribution server, and each material in the presentation pack A download processing unit that restores data and each control information file; and a display processing unit that reproduces and displays a program based on each material data and each control information file restored by the download processing unit. .

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the information creating apparatus creates a presentation pack including one to a plurality of material data related to one or more programs and one to a plurality of control information files for displaying the material data. In the information distribution display method for reproducing and displaying the program on the information display device by transmitting the created presentation pack to the information display device via the network, the information creation device includes each material data and each of the presentation pack One to a plurality of packages are created from the control information file, and the created packages are transmitted to the information display device via a network. The information display device receives each material data and each control in the received one to a plurality of packages. A program is reproduced and displayed based on the information file.

  Exemplary embodiments of an information distribution display system and an information distribution display method according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Overview and Features]
In an information distribution display system that provides information viewers with information (programs) such as local information boards, building information, department store floor information, and product information on that floor, It is often displayed sequentially as one set (one set corresponds to one presentation pack). Generally, a creator uses an information creation device such as a personal computer to create a plurality of programs by editing moving images, still images, text information, etc., and then distributes presentation packs consisting of these programs to the information display device To do. In a personal computer or the like, files related to a creator can be created in one folder and managed hierarchically by a folder or directory function.

  The present invention focuses on managing files hierarchically, and the information creation apparatus creates a file related to each program or a subfolder including the file in a folder corresponding to the presentation pack (presentation pack storage folder). When a presentation pack distribution instruction is issued, one to a plurality of packages including one to a plurality of files are created based on all the files in the presentation pack storage folder corresponding to the presentation pack having the distribution instruction. The information is distributed to the information display device in units of created packages. Thereby, a plurality of programs can be distributed by one distribution instruction without performing distribution instruction for each program, and convenience can be improved.

  Further, since delivery is performed in units of packages, even when a transfer error occurs, only the package in which the transfer error has occurred needs to be retransmitted, so that the delivery time can be shortened.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a presentation pack 2 that is the largest unit of files handled by the information distribution display system of the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the presentation pack 2 includes a pack information file 21, a menu file 22, an automatic presentation script (hereinafter referred to as an automatic presentation script) 23, a plurality of presentation files 24-1 to 24-n, It consists of a plurality of material data 25-1 to 25-m and a plurality of template files 26-1 to 26-k. The pack information file 21, the menu file 22, the automatic presentation script 23, the presentation files 24-1 to 24-n and the template files 26-1 to 26-k usually display a program composed of a plurality of material data (contents). This is a control information file in which necessary information is defined, and the material data (contents) 25-1 to 25-m are actual display data displayed by the operation of the control information file.

  The material data 25-1 to 25-n is content data used in the template files 26-1 to 26-k. As the material data 25-1 to 25-n, moving image files such as MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) format and animation GIF (Graphic Interchange Format) format, JPEG (Joint Photographic Coding Experts Group) format, PNG (Portable Network) Graphics (Image) format, GIF (Graphic Interchange Format) format, TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) format still image files, MIDI (Musical Instruments Digital Interface) format, MP3 (MPEG Audio Layer-3) format, WMA (Windows (R) ) Media Audio) format audio files, Flash format audio and moving image files including moving image information, text files, and the like.

  The template files 26-1 to 26-k include display position information indicating display positions of one to a plurality of display areas (windows) for displaying each material data, display sizes of the display areas, and the display areas. A playback player (association between the display area and the playback player) used for playback of the material data displayed on is defined.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a moving image display area 242 for displaying an MPEG format file, a still image display area 243 for displaying a JPEG format file, and a still image for displaying a PNG format file are displayed on the display screen 241. It is assumed that one program including four areas of a display area 244 and a text scroll area 245 for displaying a text file is displayed.

In this case, the template file contains
-Regarding the video display area 242,
Display position information of the display area name indicating the moving image display area 242, its display size, and association information between the display area name indicating the moving image display area 242 and a playback player (in this case, one moving image player) are defined,
・ Regarding the still image display area 243,
The display position information of the display area name indicating the still image display area 243, the display size, and the association information between the display area name indicating the still image display area 243 and the playback player (in this case, one still viewer) are defined. And
・ Regarding the still image display area 244,
Display position information of the display area name indicating the still image display area 244, its display size, and association information between the display area name indicating the still image display area 244 and a playback player (in this case, one still viewer) are defined. And
・ For text scroll area 245
Display position information of the display area name indicating the text scroll area 245, its display size, and association information between the display area name indicating the text scroll area 245 and a playback player (in this case, one text scroll engine) are defined. The

  Thus, the template file defines the display position of each display area, the display size, the association information between each display area and the playback player, and the like, and the layout of the display screen 241 can be simplified by defining the template file. Can be changed. In other words, prepare multiple different template files with different definitions, change the display layout according to the template file to be used, or change the material data to be displayed in each display area using the same template file. It becomes possible to create.

  Each presentation file 24-1 to 24-n includes a file name of one template file 26-1 to 26-k and one or more display areas (display areas) defined in the one template file. Name) and one to a plurality of material data 25-1 to 25-m (file name) are defined. For example, in FIG. 2, the material data 25-1 is displayed in the moving image display area 242, the material data 25-2 is displayed in the still image display area 243, and the material data 25-3 is displayed in the still image display area 244. When the material data 25-4 is displayed in the text scroll area 245, the association information that defines such association is defined in a certain presentation file 24-1. Thus, one presentation file corresponds to one program, and each presentation file 24-1 to 24-n is a file of material data 25-1 to 25-m and template files 26-1 to 26-k. Used for management.

  The menu file 22 includes information defining a menu screen including a program selection button for the information viewer to select one program from a plurality of programs (corresponding to a plurality of presentation files 24-1 to 24-n); Association information between a program selection button (program selection button name) and a file name of a presentation file is defined.

  In the automatic presentation script 23, information defining the display start time and display end time of each program, that is, information related to the display schedule of each program is defined. That is, one presentation file name is defined in association with one display start time and display end time.

  In the pack information file 21, the file names of the menu file 22 and the automatic presentation script 23 are defined, and the pack information file 21 is used for file management of these files 22 and 23. The presentation files 24-1 to 24-n are managed by the menu file 22 and the automatic presentation script 23.

  FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram showing the configuration of the information distribution display system according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the information delivery display system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a material data creation device 9, a template creation device 8, an information creation device 7, a data delivery server 3, a monitoring device 5, The information display device 1 is configured to be communicable with each other via a network 6 such as the Internet.

  The material data creation device 9 is a device such as a personal computer for the creator to create the material data 25-1 to 25-m, and material data such as a moving image file, a still image file, a text file, and an audio moving image file. It has a material data creation function.

  The template creation device 8 is a device such as a personal computer for the creator to create the template files 26-1 to 26-k, and has a template creation function for creating a template file.

  The information creation device 7 is a device such as a personal computer for a producer to create a program, and uses various material data created by the material data creation device 9 and a template file created by the template creation device 8. All files included in the presentation pack 2 shown in FIG. 1 are created. Then, the created presentation pack is transmitted to the data distribution server 3 via the network 6.

  The information creation device 7 has a presentation creation function, a schedule / menu creation function, a pack creation function, and a data upload function.

  The presentation creation function uses a variety of material data 25-1 to 25-m created by the material data creation device 9 and template files 26-1 to 26-k created by the template creation device 8, and a plurality of producers. This is a function for creating a plurality of presentation files 24-1 to 24-n corresponding to the programs. Specifically, as described above, the producer defines the file name of one template file for each presentation file, and the one or more display areas defined in the one template file. The association between (display area name) and one to a plurality of material data 25-1 to 25-m (file name) is defined. In addition, the presentation creation function has a function of displaying a program by reproducing material data using a template file defined in the presentation file in order to confirm the presentation file created by the producer.

  The schedule menu creation function determines the display schedule of each presentation file created by the presentation creation function based on the display priority information indicating the priority of the display order between the presentation files specified by the producer. This is a function for creating the automatic presentation script 23 and the menu file 22 described above.

  The pack creation function creates the latest presentation pack 2 when the menu file 22, the automatic presentation script 23, or the presentation files 24-1 to 24-n and the pack information file 21 are created and changed.

  The data upload function is a function for transmitting the presentation pack 2 created by the pack creation function to the data distribution server 3 via the network 6. In this case, in the data upload function, a plurality of packages are created from a plurality of files included in the presentation pack 2 so that one package includes one to a plurality of files, and the plurality of created packages are packaged in units of packages. After encryption, package identification information is added and transmitted to the data distribution server 3. The package identification information includes the name of the presentation pack to which the own package belongs, information indicating the contents of the file included in the own package (such as new material data 25-1 to 25-6, material data 25-1 to 25-8). For example, a new presentation file 24-1-24-10 and a menu file 22). In this case, the package corresponds to a file group that is encrypted and transmitted with the same key. When creating a package, the data upload function determines whether the target presentation pack 2 is new or updated, and if it is an updated presentation pack, it updates Create and send a package that contains only the modified files. This packaging is for reducing the data amount of one data communication. When the data amount is small, the presentation pack 2 itself may be encrypted and transmitted.

  The data distribution server 3 monitors and controls the information display device 1 based on the monitoring instruction and control instruction of the monitoring device 5. The data distribution server 3 has a presentation pack management function, a terminal management function, and a log totaling function.

  The presentation pack management function stores the package received from the information creation device 7 and updates whether the received package is one package constituting the new presentation pack 2 or is already updated in the stored presentation pack 2. It is determined from the package identification information whether the package includes only the file. In the case of an updated file-only package, the presentation pack management function decrypts the stored package and the package received from the information creation device 7 and updates the information in the stored presentation pack (information After changing only the package file received from the creation device 7, it is packed and encrypted and stored.

  When there is an access from the information display device 1 by polling, the terminal management function is information such as the CPU load information of the information display device 1 or the temperature of the display unit of the information display device 1 based on the monitoring instruction from the monitoring device 5. A transmission request for information (hereinafter referred to as monitoring information) indicating various states in the display device 1 is transmitted to the information display device 1. Further, the terminal management function transmits a presentation pack or package download request to the information display device 1 based on a control instruction from the monitoring device 5 when there is an access from the information display device 1 by polling, and information display. A presentation pack switching instruction in a plurality of presentation packs already stored in the apparatus 1 is transmitted to the information display apparatus 1, a polling interval change setting instruction is transmitted to the information display apparatus 1, and the like.

  The log totaling function is a function for totalizing and storing monitoring information transmitted from the information display device 1. Various data stored by the log totaling function can be browsed from the monitoring device 5.

  The information display device 1 is a device that displays a program created by the information creation device 7, has a schedule management function, a playback display function, and decrypts one or more packages or presentation packs downloaded from the data distribution server 3. Contains presentation packs.

  The schedule management function is for managing the display schedule of the program based on the automatic presentation script 23 in the presentation pack 2, and with respect to the playback display function, the playback instruction to start playback of the program and the playback of the program are stopped. The stop instruction to be output is output. The reproduction instruction is output when the program start time defined in the automatic presentation script 23 is reached, or when a program is selected by a certain program selection button on the menu screen being input by the information viewer. The reproduction instruction includes the file name of the presentation file corresponding to the program to be reproduced. The stop instruction is output when a display end time specified by the automatic presentation script 23 is reached or when a program different from the program being played is selected by the information viewer on the menu screen or the like. Is done.

  The schedule management function also has a function of switching presentation packs among a plurality of presentation packs already stored based on a control instruction transmitted from the monitoring device 5 via the data distribution server 3.

  The reproduction display function is a function for displaying a program based on the presentation file included in the reproduction instruction. The reproduction display function reproduces one to a plurality of material data associated with one to a plurality of display areas of a template file defined in the presentation file using a reproduction player in each display area to display a program. . For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a template file 261 in which a moving image display area 262, a still image display area 263, 264, and a text scroll area 265 are defined, and moving image material data 251 associated with the moving image display area 262. Assuming that the program is displayed by the still image material data 252 associated with the still image display areas 263 and 264 and the text data 253 associated with the text scroll area 265, the moving image display area of the template file 261 is assumed. The moving image material data 251 is reproduced by the reproduction player 262, the still image display data 252 is displayed in the still image display areas 263 and 264, and the text data 253 is reproduced in the text scroll area 265 by the respective reproduction players. If no template file is defined in the presentation file, the playback / display function displays a program using a default template file stored in advance.

  The monitoring device 5 is a device such as a personal computer for the system administrator to monitor and control the information display device 1 and has a monitoring function and a control function. The monitoring function is a function for transmitting a monitoring instruction for acquiring monitoring information from the information display device 1 to the data distribution server 3. The control function is a function for transmitting to the data distribution server 3 control instructions for controlling the information display apparatus 1 such as a presentation pack or package download request, a presentation pack switching instruction, and a polling interval change setting instruction.

  In the information distribution display system shown in FIG. 3, there is one template creation device 8, material data creation device 9, and information display device 1, but a plurality of these devices may be provided.

  Next, an outline of the operation of the information distribution display system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, an operation for displaying a program on the information display device 1 will be described. The template creation device 8 sends the template files 26-1 to 26-k created by the creator, and the material data creation device 9 sends the material data 25-1 to 25-m created by the creator to the information creation device 7, respectively. To do.

  The information creation device 7 uses various material data 25-1 to 25-m created by the material data creation device 9 and template files 26-1 to 26-k created by the template creation device 8 as shown in FIG. A file included in the presentation pack 2 shown in FIG. Then, the presentation pack 2 or the package created by the pack creation function is encrypted via the network 6 and transmitted to the data distribution server 3.

  The data distribution server 3 stores the received presentation pack 2 or package. The data distribution server 3 determines from the package identification information whether it is one package constituting the new presentation pack 2 or a package containing only the updated file in the already stored presentation pack 2. In the case of an updated file-only package, the presentation pack management function decrypts the stored package and the package received from the information creation device 7 and updates the information in the stored presentation pack (information After changing only the package file received from the creation device 7, it is packed and encrypted and stored. Thereafter, the data distribution server 3 causes the information display device 1 to download the stored presentation pack 2 or package based on a control instruction from the monitoring device 5.

  In the information display device 1, the presentation pack 2 or the package downloaded from the data distribution server 3 is decrypted and then defined as a presentation file of a program to be displayed based on the automatic presentation script 23 in the presentation pack 2 or the menu file 22. Each material data is reproduced using a template file that is displayed, and a program is displayed.

  Next, an operation for monitoring the information display device 1 from the monitoring device 5 will be described. The information display device 1 accesses the data distribution server 3 by polling at predetermined time intervals. When there is an access from the information display device 1, the data distribution server 3 transmits a monitoring information transmission request to the information display device 1 when there is a monitoring instruction from the monitoring device 5. The information display device 1 transmits the monitoring information requested based on the monitoring information transmission request to the data distribution server 3. After storing the received monitoring information, the data distribution server 3 resets the monitoring instruction from the monitoring device 5 (assuming that there is no monitoring instruction). In this way, the monitoring device 5 accesses the data distribution server 3 at an arbitrary timing, browses the monitoring information stored in the data distribution server 3, and monitors the state of the information display device 1.

  Next, an operation for controlling the information display device 1 from the monitoring device 5 will be described. The information display device 1 accesses the data distribution server 3 by polling at a predetermined timing. When there is an access from the information display device 1, if there is a control instruction from the monitoring device 5, the data distribution server 3 transmits the control instruction to the information display device 1. The information display device 1 performs control based on the received control instruction.

  If the control instruction is an instruction to download the presentation pack 2 or package, the information display device 1 requests the data distribution server 3 for the presentation pack or package specified by the control instruction, and designates the specified presentation pack or package. Download. When the control instruction is a presentation pack switching instruction, the information display apparatus 1 switches the presentation pack from the currently used presentation pack to the designated presentation pack by the schedule management function. When the control instruction is an instruction to set a polling interval, the information display device 1 sets the polling interval so that the data distribution server 3 is accessed at an interval specified from the next polling.

  When an HTTP GET method is used as a communication protocol by polling between the data distribution server 3 and the information display device 1, communication is performed using a metafile. That is, the HTTP display GET method is used from the information display device 1 to the data distribution server 3 at a predetermined polling interval. At this time, a terminal ID (ID for each information display device 1) is added. A terminal control metafile is sent from the data distribution server 3. The terminal control metafile includes an instruction file for performing control such as presentation pack switching. When there is a monitoring instruction from the data distribution server 3 using the terminal control metafile, the monitoring item is sent to the data distribution server 3 as a terminal information metafile. When there is an instruction from the data distribution server 3 to receive the terminal remote control metafile using the terminal control metafile, the terminal remote control metafile is received from the information display device 1 to the data distribution server 3 using the HTTP GET method. To receive the terminal remote control metafile from the data distribution server 3. Based on this, the information display device 1 is controlled. The polling interval can be changed by a terminal remote control metafile from the data distribution server 3.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the information creation device 7 shown in FIG. The information creation device 7 includes an interface unit 71, an input unit 72, a display unit 73, a pack distribution processing unit 74, a file creation processing unit 75, and a data storage unit 76.

  The interface unit 71 has an interface function for performing mutual communication with the material data creation device 9, the template creation device 8, and the data distribution server 3 via the network 6.

  The input unit 72 includes general input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, and the producer creates various files (see FIG. 1) of the presentation pack 2 and serves as input means for instructing the distribution of the presentation pack 2. used.

  The display unit 73 includes a general display device such as a CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube) or a liquid crystal display, and various files 21 to 23 and 24-1 to 24 of the presentation pack 2 stored in the data storage unit 76. -N, 25-1 to 25-m, 26-1 to 26-k and display means for displaying programs defined by the presentation files 24-1 to 24-n.

  The data storage unit 76 includes various material data 25-1 to 25 -m created by the material data creation device 9, template files 26-1 to 26 -k created by the template creation device 8, and created by the information creation device 7. The presentation files 24-1 to 24-n, the pack information file 21, the menu file 22, and the automatic presentation script 23, that is, various files constituting the presentation pack 2 are hierarchically stored.

  FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a data configuration in which the presentation pack 2 shown in FIG. 1 is hierarchically stored in the data storage unit 76. Various files 21 to 23, 24-1 to 24-n, 25-1 to 25-k, 26-1 to 26-m constituting the presentation pack 2 shown in FIG. 1 are stored in the presentation pack storage folder 4. Stored in That is, here, one presentation pack 2 corresponds to one presentation pack storage folder 4. The presentation pack storage folder 4 includes a pack information file 21, a menu file 22, an automatic presentation script 23, presentation files 24-1 to 24-n, and n subfolders 41-1 corresponding to the presentation files 24-1 to 24-n. ~ 41-n. Each of the subfolders 41-1 to 41-n includes a template file defined in the presentation files 24-1 to 24-n and one to a plurality of material data. For example, when the template file 26-1 and the material data 25-1 and 25-2 are defined in the presentation file 24-1, the template file is stored in the subfolder 41-1 corresponding to the presentation file 24-1. 26-1 and material data 25-1 and 25-2 are stored. That is, a template file used for one program and one to a plurality of material data are stored in the subfolder.

  The data storage unit 76 stores the transmission history of the presentation pack 2. The transmission history includes the name of the transmitted presentation pack 2, the various files 21, 22, 23, 24-1 to 24-n, 25-1 to 25-m, 26-1 to 26-k in the presentation pack 2. File name and file creation date.

  The file creation processing unit 75 includes a data registration processing unit 753, a presentation creation processing unit 752, and a schedule / menu creation processing unit 751, and creates various files that make up the presentation pack 2.

  The data registration processing unit 753 stores a template file defined for each program, that is, each of the presentation files 24-1 to 24-n, and one to a plurality of material data in association with each presentation file 24-1 to 24-n. A data registration function stored in the unit 76 is provided.

  The presentation creation processing unit 752 is a processing unit that realizes the above-described presentation creation function, and various material data 25-1 to 25 -m created by the material data creation device 9 and a template created by the template creation device 8. A plurality of presentation files 24-1 to 24-n corresponding to a plurality of programs are created using the files 26-1 to 26-k.

  The schedule / menu creation processing unit 751 is a processing unit that realizes the above-described schedule / menu creation function. Based on the display priority information indicating the display order priority between the presentation files designated by the producer, the schedule / menu creation processing unit 751 The display schedule of each presentation file created by the creation processing unit 752 is determined, and the automatic presentation script 23 and the menu file 22 described above are created.

  The pack delivery processing unit 74 includes a pack creation processing unit 741, a package creation processing unit 742, and an encryption processing unit 743, and performs the delivery process of the presentation pack 2.

  The pack creation processing unit 741 is a processing unit that realizes the pack creation function described above, and the pack information file 21, the menu file 22, the automatic presentation script 23, or the presentation files 24-1 to 24-n are created and changed. When receiving a pack creation instruction that is output from time to time, all files (subfolders 41-) registered in the presentation pack storage folder 4 in which these files 21, 22, 23, 24-1 to 24-n are registered. 1 presentation pack 2 including the files registered in 1 to 41-n) is created.

  The package creation processing unit 742 and the encryption processing unit 743 are processing units that realize the upload function described above, and the package creation processing unit 742 includes one to a plurality of files in one package from a plurality of files included in the presentation pack 2. Create multiple packages to include these files. The package creation processing unit 742 creates a transmission history of the created package and stores the created transmission history in the data storage unit 76.

  The encryption processing unit 743 adds package identification information after encrypting each package created by the package creation processing unit 742.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the data distribution server 3 shown in FIG. The data distribution server 3 includes an interface unit 31, a terminal management processing unit 33, a presentation pack management processing unit 34, a log tabulation processing unit 35, and a data storage unit 32.

  The interface unit 31 has an interface function for performing mutual communication with the information creation device 7, the monitoring device 5, and the information display device 1 via the network 6.

  The data storage unit 32 stores the presentation pack 2 or package transmitted from the information creation device 7. The data storage unit 32 stores the distribution history (update history and transmission history) of the presentation pack 2. The update history is the name of the updated file in the package, the update date and time of the file, and the name of the presentation pack to which the package belongs. The transmission history is the name of the presentation pack distributed to the information display device 1 and its transmission date / time. Further, the data storage unit 32 stores the monitoring information aggregated by the log aggregation processing unit 35.

  The presentation pack management processing unit 34 is a processing unit that realizes the above-described presentation pack management function, and includes a package identification processing unit 341, an update processing unit 342, and a distribution processing unit 343.

  The package identification processing unit 341 is a package that includes only an updated file in the presentation pack 2 that has already been stored, whether the package received from the information creation device 7 is one package constituting the new presentation pack 2. Whether it exists is determined from the package identification information.

  When the received package is a package with only an update file, the update processing unit 342 updates the file in the package stored in the data storage unit 32 to the file of the received package. The update processing unit 342 creates an update history when the file in the package is updated, and stores the created update history in the data storage unit 32.

  In response to the presentation pack request from the information display device 1, the distribution processing unit 343 transmits a package belonging to the requested presentation pack. The distribution processing unit 343 determines whether the requested presentation pack is a new distribution or has been distributed, and in the case of a distributed presentation pack, creates and transmits a package that includes only the updated file. To do. The distribution processing unit 343 creates a transmission history when the package is transmitted, and stores the created transmission history in the data storage unit 32.

  The terminal management processing unit 33 is a processing unit for realizing the above-described terminal management function. When there is an access by polling from the information display device 1, the terminal management processing unit 33 of the information display device 1 is based on a monitoring instruction from the monitoring device 5. A transmission request for monitoring information in the information display device 1 such as CPU load information and the temperature of the display unit of the information display device 1 is transmitted to the information display device 1. Further, when there is an access by polling from the information display device 1, the terminal management processing unit 33 transmits a presentation pack or package download request to the information display device 1 based on a control instruction from the monitoring device 5. A presentation pack switching instruction within a plurality of presentation packs already stored in the information display apparatus 1 is transmitted to the information display apparatus 1 and a polling interval change setting instruction is transmitted to the information display apparatus 1. .

  The log aggregation processing unit 35 is a processing unit that realizes the above-described log aggregation function, aggregates the monitoring information transmitted from the information display device 1, and stores the aggregated monitoring information in the data storage unit 32.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information display device 1 shown in FIG. The information display device 1 includes an interface unit 11, a display unit 12, a download processing unit 15, a display processing unit 14 having a schedule management processing unit 141 and a reproduction processing unit 142, and a data storage unit 13.

  The interface unit 11 has an interface function for performing mutual communication with the data distribution server 3 via the network 6. The data storage unit 13 stores one to a plurality of presentation packs 2 created by the information creation device 7 based on a control instruction transmitted from the monitoring device 5 via the data distribution server 3. When the presentation pack 2 is stored, the data is stored hierarchically as shown in FIG.

  The download processing unit 15 decrypts the package downloaded in response to the package download request from the data distribution server 3, decompresses it, and stores it in the data storage unit 13.

  The schedule management processing unit 141 is a processing unit that realizes the above-described schedule management function, and manages a program display schedule based on the automatic presentation script 23 in the presentation pack 2. Further, when the schedule management processing unit 141 detects that one of a plurality of program selection buttons displayed on the display unit 12 or a menu screen display unit (not shown) is selected by the menu viewer 22 by the information viewer. The display schedule is changed so that the presentation file corresponding to the detected program selection button is reproduced.

  The reproduction processing unit 142 reproduces one to a plurality of material data associated with one to a plurality of display areas of the template file defined in the presentation file using a reproduction player of each display area, and performs CRT or A program is displayed on the display unit 12 including a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, and the like.

  The operation of the information distribution display system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. First, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9, the operation in which the information creation device 7 creates the presentation pack 2 will be described. Here, the material data 25-1 to 25-m created by the material data creation device 9 and the template files 26-1 to 26-k created by the template creation device 8 are stored in the data storage unit 76 in advance. Assume that it is stored.

  The producer inputs the folder name of the presentation pack storage folder 4 corresponding to the presentation pack 2 to be created or edited using the input unit 72.

  The data registration processing unit 753 determines whether or not the folder name input from the input unit 72 is newly created (step S100). Specifically, the data registration processing unit 753 searches the folder name registered in the data storage unit 76 using the input folder name as a search key, and stores the folder name that matches the input folder name as data. It is determined whether or not the part 76 exists.

  When the input folder name is newly registered (when the folder name input to the data storage unit 76 does not exist in the folder name), the data registration processing unit 753 stores the presentation pack storage folder 4 having the input folder name as data. Register (store) in the storage unit 76 (step S101).

  The producer uses the input unit 72 to input the folder name of the subfolder corresponding to the program (presentation file). The data registration processing unit 753 registers the folder having the input folder name in the presentation pack storage folder 4 of the data storage unit 76 (step S102).

  The producer uses the input unit 72 to store the material data 25-1 to 25-m stored in the data storage unit 76, the template file 26-1 to 26-k, the template file used for the program, and the template file Input material data corresponding to the number of display areas.

  The data registration processing unit 753 registers the template file with the file name input from the input unit 72 and the material data in the created subfolder (step S103). For example, if the producer wants to create the program 270 shown in FIG. 4, the producer has the file name of the template file 261, the file name of the moving image material data 251, the file name of the still image material data 252, and the file of the text data 253. Enter the name and the name of the created subfolder. If the created subfolder is the subfolder 41-1, the data registration processing unit 753 stores the template file 261, the moving image material data 251, the still image material data 252 and the text data 253 in the subfolder 41-1 of the data storage unit 76. register.

  Using the input unit 72, the producer inputs the association between the file name of the template file registered in the subfolder, the name of one or more display areas of the template file registered in the subfolder, and the file name of the material data. . For example, when it is desired to create the program 270 shown in FIG. 4, the file name of the template file 261, the moving image material data 251 in the moving image display area 262, and the still image material data 252 in the still image display areas 263 and 264 are displayed. Is entered to correspond the text data 253 to the text scroll area 265.

  The presentation creation processing unit 752 creates a presentation file in a predetermined format from the correspondence between the file name of the template file input from the input unit 72, one or more display area names of the template file, and the file name of the material data. Then, it is registered in the presentation pack storage folder 4 (step S104). Note that the producer may directly edit the presentation file.

  The presentation creation processing unit 752 outputs a pack creation instruction to the pack creation processing unit 741 after registering the presentation file in the presentation pack storage folder 4.

  The input unit 72 associates the subfolder name, the file name of the template file to be registered in the subfolder, the file name of the material data, the file name of the template file, and one or more display area names of the template file with the file name of the material data. Each time the data is input, the data registration processing unit 753 creates a subfolder and registers the template file and material data in the created subfolder. The presentation creation processing unit 752 The operation of registering the presentation file based on the association between the display area names and the file names of the material data is repeated (steps S102 to S105), and the subfolder 41 is stored in the presentation pack storage folder 4. 1~41-n and registers the presentation file 24-1~24-n.

  The producer includes one to a plurality of presentation files 24-1 to 24-n that are programs, and template files 26-1 to 25-k and materials defined in the one to a plurality of presentation files 24-1 to 24-n. After the data 25-1 to 25-m are registered in the subfolders 41-1 to 41-n, the input unit 72 is used to indicate the display order priority among the created presentation files 24-1 to 24-n. Enter priority information.

  The schedule / menu creation processing unit 751 determines the display schedule of each presentation file created by the presentation creation processing unit 752 based on the input display priority information, and corresponds to one display start time and display end time. In addition, an automatic presentation script 23 in which one presentation file name is defined is created and registered in the presentation pack storage folder 4. The schedule / menu creation processing unit 751 displays a menu screen including a program selection button for the information viewer to select one program from a plurality of programs (corresponding to a plurality of presentation files 24-1 to 24-n). A menu file 22 defining information to be defined and association information between a program selection button (program selection button name) and a file name of a presentation file is created and registered in the presentation pack storage folder 4 (step S106).

  The presentation creation processing unit 752 outputs the pack creation instruction to the pack creation processing unit 741 after registering the automatic presentation script 23 and the menu file 22 in the presentation pack storage folder 4.

  The producer inputs the file names of the automatic presentation script 23, the menu file 22, and the presentation files 24-1 to 24-n in the presentation pack 2 using the input unit 72.

  The data registration processing unit 753 creates a pack information file 21 in which the file names of the input automatic presentation script 23, menu file 22, and presentation files 24-1 to 24-n are defined, and the created pack information file 21 is created. Is registered in the presentation pack storage folder 4 (step S107). After registering the pack information file 21, the data registration processing unit 753 outputs a pack creation instruction to the pack creation processing unit 741.

  On the other hand, when the folder name input from the input unit 72 is already registered (when the folder name input to the data storage unit 76 exists in the folder name), the folder name is already registered without creating the folder. Subfolders and presentation files are newly registered in the present presentation pack storage folder 4, or subfolders 41-1 to 41-n, presentation files 24-1 to 24-n that have already been registered, automatic presentation script 23, menu file 22 or the pack information file 21 is updated (steps S102 to S107).

  Thus, the presentation pack 2 shown in FIG. 1 is created by the data registration processing unit 753, the presentation creation processing unit 752, and the schedule / menu creation processing unit 751, and the data storage unit 76 has the data structure shown in FIG. Stored.

  Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10, an operation in which the information creation device 7 transmits the presentation pack 2 to the data distribution server 3 will be described.

  The pack creation processing unit 741 registers the presentation files 24-1 to 24-n, the automatic presentation script 23, the menu file 22, or the pack information file 21 in the data storage unit 76, and then the data registration processing unit 753 and the presentation creation processing. Upon receiving a pack creation instruction output from the section 752 or the schedule / menu creation processing section 751 (step S200), all files registered in the presentation pack storage folder 4 (registered in the subfolders 41-1 to 41-n) Read out from the data storage unit 76 (step S201). The pack creation processing unit 741 packs all the files read from the data storage unit 76 and creates the presentation pack 2 (step S202). Specifically, a pack information file 21, an automatic presentation script 23, a menu file 22, presentation files 24-1 to 24-n, template files 26-1 to 25-k, and material data 25-1 to 25-m are stored. One presentation pack 2 is created.

  The producer inputs an instruction to distribute the presentation pack 2 using the input unit 72. The distribution instruction may be, for example, a specific command, or the data structure of the presentation pack storage folder 4 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display unit 12 and the pack information file 21 is selected using the input unit 72. You may do it.

  When receiving the distribution instruction, the package creation processing unit 742 determines whether the presentation pack 2 for which the distribution instruction has been issued is an update or a new one (steps S203 and S204). Specifically, the package creation processing unit 742 reads the transmission history from the data storage unit 76, and searches for the presentation pack name of the transmission history using the presentation pack name to be transmitted as a search key.

  When the presentation pack name to be transmitted does not exist in the presentation pack name of the transmission history, since it is a new presentation pack, the package creation processing unit 742 creates the pack creation processing unit 741 based on a predetermined condition. A plurality of packages are created so as to include one to a plurality of files in the presentation pack 2 (step S205).

The predetermined condition is, for example,
(1) For a file whose file size is larger than a predetermined threshold value, a package is created with that single file.
(2) One package is created with files having the same extension indicating file attributes.
(3) Create one package with files registered in the same subfolder.
And The package creation processing unit 742 creates a package so as to satisfy at least one of the above three conditions.

  The package creation processing unit 742 sends the name of the transmitted presentation pack 2, the various files 21, 22, 23, 24-1 to 24-n, 25-1 to 25-m, 26-1 to 26- in the presentation pack 2. A transmission history including the file name of k and the file creation date is created.

  When the presentation pack name to be transmitted exists in the presentation pack name of the transmission history, the package creation processing unit 742 displays each file name and creation date / time in the presentation pack 2 and each file name and creation date / time of the transmission history. Are compared to search for a mismatched file, and an updated file of the presentation pack 2 is detected (step S206).

  The package creation processing unit 742 creates one or more packages based on the above-described predetermined condition for only the detected update file (step S207). The package creation processing unit 742 changes the transmission history related to the update file of the created package.

  The encryption processing unit 743 encrypts the package created by the package creation processing unit 742, adds package identification information, and transmits the package identification information to the data distribution server 3 via the interface unit 31 (steps S208 to S210).

  After confirming that the created package has been transmitted to the data distribution server 3, the package creation processing unit 742 stores the created or changed transmission history in the data storage unit 76 (step S210).

  Next, an operation for storing the package received by the data distribution server 3 from the information creation device 7 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the package identification processing unit 341 receives a package via the interface unit 31 (step S300), the package identification processing unit 341 stores in the data storage unit 32 whether the received package is one package constituting the new presentation pack 2 or not. It is determined from the package identification information whether the package includes only the updated file in the present presentation pack 2 (step S301). As described above, the package identification information includes the name of the presentation pack to which the own package belongs, information indicating the contents of the file included in the own package (such as new material data 25-1 to 25-6, material data 25- 1 to 25-8, update presentation data 24-1 to 24-10, and menu file 22). The package identification processing unit 341 determines whether the received package is an update file by analyzing the package identification information. In the case of a package with only updated files, an update instruction is output to the update processing unit 342.

  Upon receiving the update instruction, the update processing unit 342 reads the package including the update file from the data storage unit 32, and decrypts the read package and the received package (steps S302 and S303). Then, the old file in the read package is replaced with the update file in the received package, and the package is updated (step S304). The update processing unit 342 creates an update history and stores the created update history in the data storage unit 32 (step S305). The update processing unit 342 encrypts the updated package and stores the encrypted package in the data storage unit 32 (steps S306 and S307).

  Next, the operation of downloading the package stored in the data distribution server 3 to the information display device 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Upon receiving a download request from the information display device 1 via the interface unit 31, the distribution processing unit 343 determines whether or not the requested presentation pack 2 is a new presentation pack 2 (steps S400 and S401). ). Specifically, the distribution processing unit 343 searches for the presentation pack name of the transmission history stored in the data storage unit 32 using the requested presentation pack name as a search key, and obtains the requested presentation pack name. It is determined whether or not a matching presentation pack name exists in the transmission history.

  When the requested presentation pack 2 has already been distributed (when the requested presentation pack name exists in the transmission history), the distribution processing unit 343 reads the package including the update file from the data storage unit 32 (step S402). ). Specifically, the distribution processing unit 343 compares the transmission date / time of the requested presentation pack 2 in the transmission history with the update date / time of the file of the package belonging to the requested presentation pack 2 in the update history, A package including a file with an update date and time newer than the transmission date and time is read from the data storage unit 32.

  The distribution processing unit 343 decrypts the read package and creates a package using only the update file (steps S403 and S404). The distribution processing unit 343 encrypts the created package, transmits the encrypted package to the information display device 1 via the interface unit 31, updates the transmission history, and stores it in the data storage unit 32 (step S405). ~ S407).

  On the other hand, when the requested presentation pack 2 is not distributed (when the requested presentation pack name does not exist in the transmission history), the distribution processing unit 343 stores all the packages belonging to the requested presentation pack 2 in the data storage unit. The data is read from 32 (step S408). Then, all the read packages are transmitted to the information display device 1 via the interface unit 31, and a transmission history is created and stored in the data storage unit 32 (steps S406 and S407).

  When the download processing unit 15 of the information display device 1 receives a package from the data distribution server 3 via the interface unit 11, the download processing unit 15 decrypts and decompresses the received package and stores it in the data storage unit 13.

  An operation in which the information display apparatus 1 displays a program using the presentation pack 2 distributed in this way will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The schedule management processing unit 141 has a time measuring function, and is defined corresponding to the program start time when the program start time defined in the automatic presentation script 23 stored in the data storage unit 13 is reached. The reproduction instruction including the presentation file name being output is output to the reproduction processing unit 142 (steps S500 and S520). When the schedule management processing unit 141 detects that the program selection button has been input, the schedule management processing unit 141 sends a playback instruction including a presentation file name corresponding to the detected program selection button defined in the menu file 22 to the playback processing unit 142. Output (steps S500 and S510).

  The reproduction processing unit 142 reads the presentation file included in the reproduction instruction from the data storage unit 13 (step S530). The reproduction processing unit 142 reads the template file and the material file defined in the presentation file read from the data storage unit 13 from the data storage unit 13 (step S540). The reproduction processing unit 142 reproduces one to a plurality of material data associated with one to a plurality of display areas of the template file defined in the read presentation file using a reproduction player of each display area, The program is displayed on the display unit 12 (step S550). Specifically, as described above, the template file includes display position information indicating display positions of one to a plurality of display areas (windows) for displaying each material data, a display size of the display area, In the presentation file, a playback player (relation between display area and playback player) used for playback of material data displayed in the display area includes one or more display areas (display area names) defined in the template file. ) And one to a plurality of material data 25-1 to 25-m (file name) are defined. The reproduction processing unit 142 determines a display area in the display unit 12 based on display position information indicating the display position of the display area (window) defined in the template file and the display size of the display area. Then, the material data corresponding to the display area defined in the presentation file is played back using the playback player in the display area defined in the template file, so that a plurality of material data are combined to form one program. Is displayed on the display unit 12.

  As described above, in the information distribution display system of this embodiment, the file creation processing unit 75 stores the pack information file 21, the automatic presentation script 23, the menu file 22, and the presentation file 24-1 in the presentation pack storage folder 4 corresponding to the presentation pack 2. -24-n, material data 25-1 to 25-m, and template files 26-1 to 26-k are created, and when the package creation processing unit 742 receives a distribution instruction, all of the contents in the presentation pack storage folder 4 are created. One to a plurality of packages satisfying a predetermined condition are created from the file, and the presentation pack 2 is transmitted to the data distribution server 3 in package units. The presentation pack management processing unit 34 manages one to a plurality of packages for each presentation pack 2 and transmits a predetermined package in response to a request from the information display device 1. The download processing unit 15 replies with one or more packages received from the data distribution server 3, and pack information file 21, automatic presentation script 23, menu file 22, presentation files 24-1 to 24-in the presentation pack 2. n, the material data 25-1 to 25-m, and the template files 26-1 to 26-k are restored. Thereby, a plurality of programs can be distributed by one distribution instruction without performing distribution instruction for each program, and convenience can be improved.

  In addition, since delivery is performed in units of packages, even when a transfer error is reflected, only the package in which the transfer error has occurred needs to be retransmitted, and the delivery time can be shortened.

  Further, the package creation processing unit includes a pack information file 21, an automatic presentation script 23, a menu file 22, presentation files 24-1 to 24-n, material data 25-1 to 25-m, and a template file in the presentation pack 2. When 26-1 to 26-k are updated, a package is created for only the updated file, and only the updated file is distributed. Therefore, distribution is performed when a program is added or changed. Data amount to be reduced.

  In addition, since the encryption processing unit 743 encrypts and transmits the package and the data distribution server 3 stores the encrypted package, security can be improved.

  In this embodiment, encryption is performed for each package, but encryption may be performed for each file in the package. When encryption is performed for each file, the update processing unit 342 and the distribution processing unit 343 of the data distribution server 3 create and distribute the package with only the update file, without decrypting the package and encrypting it again. Update files can be replaced and packages can be created. That is, the data distribution server 3 only needs to manage the encrypted package. Thereby, security can be further improved.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the presentation pack used as the largest unit of the file which the information delivery display system of the Example of this invention handles. It is a figure for demonstrating the template file shown in FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration of an information distribution display system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the concept that a different program is produced by synthesize | combining one template file and material data. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information preparation apparatus shown in FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the data structure by which the presentation pack shown in FIG. 1 is stored in a data storage part hierarchically. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the data delivery server shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information display apparatus shown in FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation | movement which an information preparation apparatus produces a presentation pack. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an operation in which the information creation apparatus transmits a presentation pack to the data distribution server 3. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement which stores the package which the data delivery server received from the information preparation apparatus. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of downloading a package stored in a data distribution server 3 to the information display device 1; It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation | movement which an information display apparatus displays a program.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information display apparatus 2 Presentation pack 3 Data distribution server 4 Presentation pack storage folder 5 Monitoring apparatus 6 Network 7 Information production apparatus 8 Template production apparatus 9 Material data production apparatus 11, 31, 71 Interface part 12, 73 Display part 13, 32, 76 Data Storage Unit 14 Display Processing Unit 15 Download Processing Unit 33 Terminal Management Processing Unit 34 Presentation Pack Management Processing Unit 35 Log Total Processing Unit 72 Input Unit 74 Pack Distribution Processing Unit 75 File Creation Processing Unit 141 Schedule Management Processing Unit 142 Playback Processing Unit 141 Data Upload Processing Unit 341 Package Identification Processing Unit 342 Update Processing Unit 343 Distribution Processing Unit 741 Pack Creation Processing Unit 742 Package Creation Processing Unit 743 Encryption Processing Unit 751 Schedule Lumpur menu creation processing unit 752 presentation creation processing unit 753 data registration processing unit

Claims (6)

A presentation pack including one to a plurality of material data relating to one to a plurality of programs created by the information creation device and one to a plurality of control information files for displaying the material data is transmitted to the information display device via the data distribution server. In the information distribution display system to distribute,
The information creation device includes:
A package creation processing unit for creating one or more packages from each material data and each control information file in the presentation pack;
The package created by the package creation processing unit is transmitted to the data distribution server,
The data distribution server is
A data storage unit for storing received packages;
Managing the packages stored in this data storage unit for each presentation pack, and sending the package to the information display device presentation pack management processing unit,
With
The information display device includes:
A download processing unit that decompresses one or more packages received from the data distribution server and restores each material data and each control information file in the presentation pack;
A display processing unit for reproducing and displaying a program based on each material data and each control information file restored by the download processing unit;
An information distribution display system comprising: The package creation processing unit
For a file whose file size is larger than the predetermined threshold, create a package with that one file.
Creating one package with files with the same extension that indicates file attributes;
Creating one package with files registered in the same subfolder,
The information delivery display system according to claim 1, wherein a package is created based on at least one of the following conditions. The package creation processing unit
3. The information distribution display system according to claim 1, wherein when each material data and each control information file in the presentation pack is updated, a package is created based only on the updated file. . The presentation pack management processing unit
A package identification processing unit for identifying whether the package received from the information creation device is a package of only an update file;
An update processing unit that updates a package by replacing an update file included in a package that is determined to be a package containing only an update file by the package identification processing unit and a file included in the package stored in the data storage unit When,
If the presentation pack requested from the information display device is a new distribution, all the packages related to the requested presentation pack are transmitted to the information display device, and the requested presentation pack has already been distributed. If there is, a distribution processing unit that creates a package of only the update file and transmits the created package to the information display device;
The information distribution display system according to claim 3, further comprising: The package creation processing unit performs encryption on the created package,
The information distribution display system according to claim 1, wherein the download processing unit decrypts the received package. The information creation apparatus creates a presentation pack including one to a plurality of material data related to one or more programs and one to a plurality of control information files for displaying the material data, and information about the created presentation packs via the network In an information distribution display method for reproducing and displaying a program on an information display device by transmitting to the display device,
The information creation device creates one to a plurality of packages from each material data and each control information file in the presentation pack, and transmits the created packages to the information display device via a network,
The information display apparatus reproduces and displays a program based on each received material data and each control information file in one to a plurality of packages.

Images